Female cadet is PMA valedictorian

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May 7, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A 23-year-old cadet from Lipa City, Batangas has topped the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tagapagtanggol ng Lahing Dakila at Marangal” (Talang Dangal) Class of 2026, marking another milestone for women in the country’s premier military training institution.

Cadet First Class Christine Kaye Demisana Librada bested 206 others in her class, becoming the ninth female cadet to graduate as valedictorian.

Notably, women also dominated this year’s rankings, with female cadets placing fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth in the top 10.

Future Philippine Army Second Lieutenant Librada’s achievement underscores the continuing rise of women in the PMA, where female cadets have consistently excelled since their admission in 1993.

In recent years, women have not only secured the top spot but have also dominated the upper ranks. Among the notable female valedictorians are Jeneth Elumba (2024), Khrystleann Quemado (2022), Gemalyn Sugui (2020) and Dionne Mae Umalla (2019).

Joining Librada in this year’s top 10 are Mark John Vincent Utlang Catacutan of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur (second); Thomas Edgar Isla Sepulchre of Angeles City, Pampanga (third); Ian Harold Durana Hubilla of Sorsogon City, Sorsogon (fourth); Maeg Adriene Pajarillo Bermudez of Moncada, Tarlac (fifth); Cherry Mael Panag Geco of Jamindan, Capiz (sixth); Elixa Anya Lumbang Hernandez of Padre Garcia, Batangas (seventh); Catherine Liesha Beloa de Chavez of San Pascual, Batangas (eighth); Cedric Cyril Guingguing Polizon of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur (ninth) and Mark Clemente Dequinto Centina of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental (tenth).

Librada]s journey to the top was shaped largely by her upbringing. The daughter of a military officer and an entrepreneur, she previously studied at De La Salle University in Manila, where she graduated with high honors before entering the PMA.

It was her father’s work that inspired her to pursue a military career.

“I saw how his work touched people’s lives,” she said, recalling visits to his unit when he was serving as commander of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, where civil-military operations reached far-flung and underserved communities.